Mediterranean diet as the ideal model for preventing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)

The prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has dramatically increased in the 2–3 last decades and it represents the most frequent global cause of liver disease, affecting 25% to 45% of adults in most studies (1). The worldwide elevation in the population rates of NAFLD has come in parallel with rising unprecedented pandemics of obesity and diabetes. There is no specific medication for NAFLD and dietary/lifestyle modifications are the main foundations for the treatment of NAFLD. They are also very likely to be effective for its primary prevention. In this context, a dietary pattern that meets most requirements to become the ideal model for the prevention of NAFLD is the traditional Mediterranean diet (2). In addition to the potential for preventing NAFLD, the Mediterranean diet has sufficiently demonstrated its great ability to improve cardiovascular health. The accrual of prospective and well conducted studies showing cardiovascular benefits associated with better adherence to a high-quality food pattern is superior for the traditional Mediterranean food pattern than for any other dietary pattern (3)

Myocardial Extracellular Volume Quantification by Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance and Computed Tomography

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review article discusses the evolution of extracellular volume (ECV) quantification using both cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) and computed tomography (CT). RECENT FINDINGS: Visualizing diffuse myocardial fibrosis is challenging and until recently, was restricted to the domain of the pathologist. CMR and CT both use extravascular, extracellular contrast agents, permitting ECV measurement. The evidence base around ECV quantification by CMR is growing rapidly and just starting in CT. In conditions with high ECV (amyloid, oedema and fibrosis), this technique is already being used clinically and as a surrogate endpoint. Non-invasive diffuse fibrosis quantification is also generating new biological insights into key cardiac diseases. CMR and CT can estimate ECV and in turn diffuse myocardial fibrosis, obviating the need for invasive endomyocardial biopsy. CT is an attractive alternative to CMR particularly in those individuals with contraindications to the latter. Further studies are needed, particularly in CT

Fijación activa y perforación ventricular: ¿una nueva entidad?

First, a new active fixation lead was implanted in the interventricular septum; the old lead was then extracted with a Cook stylet. The patient’s clinical course was satisfactory and there were no procedure-related complications. In conclusion, within the battery of diagnostic tests available to investigate suspected cardiac perforation, computed angiotomography of the chest is a highly useful complementary technique for the management of this complication

Incidental computed tomography diagnosis of a rare triad consisting of absence of coronary sinus, persistent left superior vena cava, and scimitar syndrome

We report a case of an unusual congenital triad consisting of absence of coronary sinus, persistent left superior vena cava and scimitar syndrome incidentally found in a CT-scan performed on a female complaining of exertional dyspnea

Giant left atrial thrombus 17 years after orthotopic heart transplantation

We present the case of a 66-year-old woman who underwent orthotopic heart transplantation 17 years earlier for dilated cardiomyopathy. After 7 years allograft coronary vasculopathy developed requiring coronary artery angioplasty. In year 15 postoperatively she experienced congestive heart failure and she became symptomatic requiring diuretics and digoxin treatment. In year 16 postoperatively a routine coronary computed tomography (CT) angiography study revealed a giant thrombus in the left atrium. The patient had had no thromboembolicrelated symptoms. Anticoagulation therapy was introduced and the patient has not presented any thromboembolic-related complication. As the symptoms of cardiac insufficiency worsened we decided to evaluate the patient for re-transplantation

Radiologic features of small pulmonary nodules detected in initially negative screening CT examinations: a step towards personalized screening strategies?

Results of the National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) have invigorated the discussion around performing lung cancer screening using low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) of the chest. The NLST trial demonstrated a clear benefit of LDCT screening in reducing lung cancer and all-cause mortality, by showing reduced lung cancer mortality in high-risk individuals by about 20%, and allcause mortality by 6.7%, compared to a control group of subjects receiving chest radiographs

Preliminary Experience With the Use of Electromagnetic Navigation for the Diagnosis of Peripheral Pulmonary Nodules and Enlarged Mediastinal Lymph Nodes

Electromagnetic navigation is a new technique that can be used with bronchoscopy to obtain samples of small peripheral nodular lesions and enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes. It is very versatile in that it enables both transbronchial biopsies and fine-needle aspiration to be performed. We describe 2 cases in which navigation with the superDimension/ Bronchus system combined with traditional diagnostic techniques facilitated a definitive diagnosis by bronchoscopy. Electromagnetic navigation can obviate the need for more invasive diagnostic procedures such as surgery, thus saving time and money and avoiding complications

Incidental dual source computed tomography imaging of ductal aortic coarctation, left subclavian artery stenosis and bicuspid aortic valve in a patient admitted for atypical chest pain

A case of incidental ductal aortic coarctation with left subclavian artery stenosis at the origin, severely calcified and stenotic bicuspid aortic valve, and normal coronary arteries demonstrated by single breath hold dual source computed tomography angiography in a 46-year-old man admitted for acute chest pain is presented

State of the art: iterative CT reconstruction techniques

Owing to recent advances in computing power, iterative reconstruction (IR) algorithms have become a clinically viable option in computed tomographic (CT) imaging. Substantial evidence is accumulating about the advantages of IR algorithms over established analytical methods, such as filtered back projection. IR improves image quality through cyclic image processing. Although all available solutions share the common mechanism of artifact reduction and/or potential for radiation dose savings, chiefly due to image noise suppression, the magnitude of these effects depends on the specific IR algorithm. In the first section of this contribution, the technical bases of IR are briefly reviewed and the currently available algorithms released by the major CT manufacturers are described. In the second part, the current status of their clinical implementation is surveyed. Regardless of the applied IR algorithm, the available evidence attests to the substantial potential of IR algorithms for overcoming traditional limitations in CT imaging